Craig Lingard’s men finished well in their second and final warm up fixture against promotion favourites Featherstone Rovers.

The Bulldogs had the worst possible start as Rovers took an early lead with 2 quick tries, Chisholm adding a 3rd before Elliot Hall struck for the visitors just before the break. The second half was a similar story with the hosts adding a further 3 scores before Batley worked their way back into the game.

An excellent move down the blindside involving Gilmore, Hooley and Hall was finished in style by Alistair Leak. Moments later a similar move saw a try ruled out for a forward pass, before the impressive Hall added his second after scooping up a loose ball close to his own line and racing away from the chasing pack for a comfortable finish. Dale Morton adding the conversions.

A difficult test for the Bulldogs against this highly fancied Featherstone side, but a number of stand out performances will have pleased Head Coach Lingard, and given the coaching staff food for thought ahead of next Saturday’s season opener, away to Hhalifax in the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Rovers 36-16 Bulldogs.

Photographs by Dan Winner. Copyright Batley Bulldogs.